Cherry Orchard read online specifications. The Cherry Orchard

Characters: Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya, landowner; Anya, her daughter, aged 17; Varya, her adopted daughter, aged 24; Leonid Andreevich Gaev, brother of Ranevskaya; Ermolai Alekseevich Lopakhin, merchant; Petr Sergeevich Trofimov, student; Boris Borisovich Simeonov-Pishchik, landowner; Charlotte Ivanovna, governess; Semyon Panteleevich Epikhodov, clerk; Dunyasha, maid; Firs, footman, old man 87 years old; Yasha, a young footman. The action takes place on the estate of Ranevskaya.

Retelling plan

1. Ranevskaya and her daughter return from Paris to their estate.
2. Lopakhin offers a plan to save the estate, put up for auction.
3. Gaev and Ranevskaya hope to save him in another way, but they have no money.
4. Ranevskaya talks about her life.
5. During the auction, Ranevskaya arranges a holiday.
6. The news of Lopakhin's purchase of a cherry orchard stuns everyone.
7. Farewell to the cherry orchard.

retelling

Action 1

May, cherry trees are in bloom. In the room, which is still called the nursery, the maid Dunyasha, Lopakhin and Epikhodov. They talk about the fact that the hostess Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya and her daughter Anna should soon arrive from Paris. Lopakhin: “Lyubov Andreevna lived abroad for five years, I don’t know what she has become now ... She is a good person. Easy, simple person. I remember when I was a boy of about fifteen, my father, the deceased - he then traded here in the village in a shop - hit me in the face with his fist, blood came out of my nose ... Lyubov Andreevna, still young, led me to the washstand, in this the room itself. “Don’t cry, he says, little man, he will heal before the wedding ...” My father, however, was a peasant, but here I am in a white vest and yellow shoes. With a pig's snout in a kalashny row ... Only now he is rich, there is a lot of money, but if you think and figure it out, then a peasant is a peasant ... "

Lopakhin does not like that Dunyasha behaves like a young lady. Epikhodov constantly drops something, bumps into chairs: “Every day some kind of misfortune happens to me. And I don’t grumble, I’m used to it and even smile.” Soon the voices of the arrivals are heard, and everyone goes to meet the hostess.

Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev, Anya, Charlotte, Varya, Lopakhin, Epikhodov and Dunyasha appear. Lyubov Andreevna rejoices at her return home: "Children's, my dear, beautiful room ..."

Everyone leaves except Anya and Dunyasha. The maid begins to tell that Epikhodov proposed to her, but Anya does not listen to her. Varya comes: “My darling has arrived! Beauty has arrived! Anya: “We're coming to Paris, it's cold there, it's snowing. I speak French terribly. Mom lives on the fifth floor, I come to her, she has some French, ladies, an old priest with a book, and it's smoky, uncomfortable. I suddenly felt sorry for my mother, so sorry, I hugged her head, squeezed her hands and could not let go. Mama then kept caressing, crying... She had already sold her dacha near Menton, she had nothing left, nothing. I didn't even have a penny left, we barely got there. And my mom doesn't understand! We sit at the station for dinner, and she demands the most expensive thing and gives the lackeys a ruble for tea ... ”Varya says that the estate and the cherry orchard will be sold for debts, because they have no money left at all. Anya asks if Lopakhin has yet proposed to Varya. Varya: “I think so, nothing will work out for us. He has a lot to do, he is not up to me ... and does not pay attention. Everyone talks about our wedding, everyone congratulates, but in reality there is nothing, everything is like a dream ... "

They remember how their father died six years ago and little brother Grisha drowned in the river. It turns out that his former teacher Petya Trofimov came to the estate. The sisters are afraid that he might remind Lyubov Andreevna about the boy's death.

Enter Firs, Lyubov Andreevna, Gayev, Lopakhin and Simeonov-Pishchik. Lopakhin tries to start a conversation about the cherry orchard, but Lyubov Andreevna does not listen to him, she is too excited about her return home. Lopakhin says that the auction has already been scheduled, but the estate can still be saved. To do this, you just need to break it into sections for summer cottages. Since the place is beautiful, these plots are quickly rented, and the owners will be able to pay the debts for the estate. True, for summer cottages it will be necessary to cut down a cherry orchard. Neither Raevskaya nor Gaev want to hear anything about cutting down the garden: “What nonsense!” Varya gives her mother two telegrams from Paris, but she tears them up without reading them. Gaev delivers a pathetic speech to the bookcase: “Dear, respected bookcase! I salute your existence, which for more than a hundred years has been directed towards the bright ideals of goodness and justice; your silent call for fruitful work has not weakened for a hundred years, supporting (through tears) in the generations of our family vigor, faith in a better future and educating in us the ideals of goodness and social self-consciousness. Everyone is embarrassed for him.

Petya Trofimov enters. Ranevskaya does not recognize him at first, but remembering that he is her son's former teacher, she begins to cry. Ranevskaya: “What, Petya? Why are you so mad? Why are you old?" Trofimov: “One woman in the carriage called me like this: shabby gentleman.” Ranevskaya: “You were then just a boy, a sweet student, and now your hair is thin, glasses. Are you still a student? Trofimov: "I must be an eternal student."

Varya tells Yasha that his mother came to him from the village, wants to see him, but he replies: “It is very necessary. I could come back tomorrow." Everyone leaves, only Gaev and Varya remain. Gaev says about his sister: “I married a non-nobleman and behaved, one cannot say, very virtuous. She is good, kind, nice, I love her very much, but no matter how you think of mitigating circumstances, nevertheless, I must admit, she is vicious. It is felt in her slightest movement. Gaev is going to take a loan from the bank, he suggests that the Yaroslavl grandmother and Lopakhin can lend money, then the estate will not be sold at auction. Anya believes him.

Action 2

Evening. Yard near the estate. Charlotte, Dunyasha, Yasha and Epikhodov are sitting on the bench. Charlotte says: “I don’t have a real passport, I don’t know how old I am. When I was a little girl, my father and mother went to fairs and gave performances. And I jumped salto mortale and various things. And when my father and mother died, a German lady took me to her and began to teach me. I grew up, then went to the governess. And where I am from and who I am - I don’t know ... ”Charlotte leaves.

Epikhodov plays the guitar. He says he has a revolver, but he doesn't know yet if he wants to shoot himself or wants to live. He wants to talk to Dunyasha alone. But she sends him away, stays with Yasha and says: “I was taken to the masters as a girl, now I have lost the habit of a simple life, and now my hands are white, white, like a young lady’s. She became tender, so delicate, noble, I'm afraid of everything ... It's so scary. And if you, Yasha, deceive me, then I don’t know what will happen to my nerves ... I fell in love with you passionately, you are educated, you can talk about everything. Yasha (yawns): "Yes, sir ... In my opinion, this is how: if a girl loves someone, then she, therefore, is immoral." Dunyasha leaves.

Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev and Lopakhin arrive. Lopakhin again offers Raevskaya to give the estate for summer cottages. But she still doesn't listen to him. This morning they went to a restaurant for breakfast and spent almost all the money. But it seems to her that the estate can be saved, Gaev promises her the same. Lopakhin calls him a woman and wants to leave. Lopakhin: “Forgive me, I have never met such frivolous people like you, gentlemen, such unbusinesslike, strange people. They speak Russian to you, your estate is being sold, but you definitely don’t understand.” Ranevskaya asks him to stay and help think of something. Lopakhin understands that you will not get any sense from them.

Lyubov Andreevna recalls her life: “I always littered my money without restraint, like crazy, and married a man who only made debts. My husband died from champagne - he drank terribly - and, unfortunately, I fell in love with another, got together, and just at that time - it was the first punishment, a blow right in the head - right here on the river ... drowned my boy, and I went abroad so as not to see this river ... I closed my eyes, ran, not remembering myself, and he followed me ... ruthlessly, rudely. I bought a cottage near Menton, because he fell ill there, and for three years I did not know rest, day or night; the patient has tormented me, my soul has dried up. And last year, when the dacha was sold for debts, I went to Paris, and there he robbed me, left me, got together with another, I tried to poison myself ... So stupid, so ashamed ... And suddenly I was drawn to Russia, to my homeland , to my girl ... (Wipes away tears.) Lord, be merciful, forgive me my sins! (Takes a telegram out of his pocket.) Received today from Paris... Asks for forgiveness, begs to return... (Tears the telegram.)

Enter Trofimov, Varya and Anya. Lopakhin teases Trofimov: "He is fifty years old soon, but he is still a student." Trofimov is angry: “I, Ermolai Alekseich, understand that you are a rich man, you will soon be a millionaire. This is how, in terms of metabolism, you need a predatory beast that eats everything that comes in its way, so you are needed. Everyone laughs. Trofimov starts talking about lofty matters: “Humanity is moving forward, improving its strength. Everything that is inaccessible to him now will someday become close, understandable, but now you have to work, help with all your might to those who are looking for the truth. We, in Russia, still have very few people working. The vast majority of the intelligentsia that I know do not seek anything, do nothing, and are not yet capable of work ... Everyone is serious, everyone has stern faces, everyone talks only about important things, philosophizes, and meanwhile, in front of everyone, the workers eat disgusting, they sleep without pillows, thirty, forty in one room, bedbugs everywhere, stench, dampness, moral impurity ... "Lopakhin:" You know, I get up at five o'clock in the morning, I work from morning to evening, well, I have constantly my money and others' money, and I see what kind of people are around. You just have to start doing something to understand how few honest, decent people there are. Sometimes, when I can’t sleep, I think: “Lord, you gave us huge forests, vast fields, the deepest horizons, and living here, we ourselves should really be giants ...” Gaev tries to say something, but he is stopped. Silence. Suddenly, the sound of a broken string is heard, fading, sad. Firs: “Before the misfortune, it was the same: the owl screamed, and the samovar hummed endlessly.” Gaev: "Before what misfortune?" Firs: "Before the will."

A tipsy passer-by comes up to them and asks for some money. Ranevskaya gives him a gold medal. Varya cannot believe her own eyes. She reproaches her mother for excessive extravagance, because people in the house have nothing to eat, and she distributes alms. Everyone leaves except Trofimov and Anya. Trofimov: “Varya is afraid, what if we fall in love with each other, and does not leave us for whole days. She, with her narrow head, cannot understand that we are above love. To get around that petty and illusory thing that prevents us from being free and happy, this is the goal and meaning of our life. Forward! We march irresistibly towards the bright star that burns far away!

Forward! Keep up, friends!" Anya (clasping her hands): “How well you speak!” Anya: "What have you done to me, Petya, why I no longer love the cherry orchard, as before." Trofimov: “All Russia is our garden. The earth is great and beautiful ... Think, Anya: your grandfather, great-grandfather and all your ancestors were serf-owners who owned living souls, and is it possible that from every cherry in the garden, from every leaf, from every trunk, human beings are not looking at you, are you do not hear voices... To own living souls - after all, it has reborn all of you who lived before and now live, so that your mother, you, uncle, no longer notice that you live in debt, at someone else's expense... It's so clear In order to begin to live in the present, we must first redeem our past, put an end to it, and it can only be redeemed by suffering, only by extraordinary, uninterrupted labor. Understand this, Anya. Anya is delighted with Petya's words. In the distance, the voice of Varya is heard, calling for her sister. Petya and Anya run away from her to the river.

Action 3

Living room on the estate. You can hear the orchestra playing in the hall. Evening. Dancing in the hall. Varya bitterly says: “Here, they hired musicians, but how to pay?” Lyubov Andreevna also understands: “And the musicians came at the wrong time, and we started the ball inappropriately ...” Gaev is in the city, at the auction, and she is worried that he will be gone for a long time. The fate of the estate is unknown.

Ranevskaya speaks to Varya about Lopakhin. She can't understand why they can't talk to each other. Varya replies that she herself cannot propose to Lopakhin. Varya leaves. Ranevskaya asks Petya to calm her down. She is very anxious, because at this moment her fate is being decided. Trofimov replies that the estate “has been finished for a long time, the path has grown overgrown ... Don’t deceive yourself, you need to look the truth straight in the eye at least once in your life.” Lyubov Andreevna: “What truth? You can see where the truth is and where the lie is, but I definitely lost my sight, I don’t see anything. You boldly resolve all important issues, but tell me, my dear, is it not because you are young, that you have not had time to suffer through a single one of your questions? You boldly look ahead, and is it not because you do not see and do not expect anything terrible, since life is still hidden from your young eyes? You are bolder, more honest, deeper than us, but think about it, be generous ... spare me. After all, I was born here, my father and mother lived here, my grandfather, I love this house, I don’t understand my life without a cherry orchard, and if you really need to sell it, then sell me along with the garden ... (Hugging Trofimova, kisses him on the forehead.) After all, my son drowned here ... (Crying.) Have pity on me, good, kind person. Petya hands her a telegram instead. This time, Lyubov Andreevna does not tear her up, she thinks about whether to go to Paris, because “this wild man” fell ill again ... Ranevskaya admits: “This is a stone on my neck, I go to the bottom with it, but I love this stone and I can't live without it." Petya is trying to convince Ranevskaya that this man robbed her, that he is a scoundrel, a nonentity. Petya does not understand that he is speaking tactlessly. Ranevskaya retorts: “You have to be a man, at your age you need to understand those who love. And you need to love yourself ... you need to fall in love! (Angry.) Yes, yes! And you have no cleanliness, and you are just a clean, funny eccentric, a freak ... You are not above love, but you are simply a klutz. At your age, do not have a mistress! Petya, horrified by these words, runs away: “It’s all over between us!” Lyubov Andreevna shouts after him: “Petya, wait a minute! Funny man, I was joking!”

Yasha and Firs look at the dancers. Old Firs looks ill, it's hard for him to stand. His fate is also being decided: if the estate is sold, he has nowhere to go. “Wherever you order, I’ll go there,” he says to Ranevskaya. Yasha is indifferent to the experiences of the owners. He is concerned about one thing: that the hostess takes him to Paris again: “You yourself see, the country is uneducated, the people are immoral, moreover, boredom, the food is ugly in the kitchen ... Take me with you, be so kind!”

The fun continues in the hall: Charlotte shows tricks, Dunyasha flirts. Varya, irritated by the inappropriate holiday, finds fault with Epikhodov, drives him away from the house, brandishes a stick and accidentally hits Lopakhin, who has just arrived, on the head. People around can not wait to know the results of the auction. Lyubov Andreevna hurries Lopakhin and Gaev: “Speak!” Lopakhin is confused, Gaev looks upset. Lyubov Andreevna: "Is the cherry orchard sold?" Lopakhin: "Sold." Lyubov Andreevna: “Who bought it?” Lopakhin: "I bought it." Lyubov Andreevna is oppressed. Varya takes the keys from her belt, throws them on the floor and leaves.

Lopakhin finally broke through, he talks about the auction, rejoices, laughs: “The Cherry Orchard is mine now! My! Tell me that I'm drunk, out of my mind, that all this seems to me ... (Stomping his feet.) Don't laugh at me! .. I bought an estate where my grandfather and father were slaves, where they were not even allowed into the kitchen . I sleep
it only seems to me ... (Raises the keys.) She threw the keys, she wants to show that she is no longer the mistress here ... Hey, musicians, play! Come all to watch Yermolai Lopakhin hit the cherry orchard with an ax! We will set up dachas, and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will see a new life here ... Music, play!”

Lyubov Andreyevna sank into a chair and wept bitterly. Lopakhin consoles her: “Why didn’t you listen to me? My poor, good, you will not return now. (With tears.) Oh, it would be better if our awkward, unhappy life would somehow change ... "

Ranevskaya is left alone, "shrinking all over and crying bitterly." Anya and Petya enter. Anya rushes to hug and reassure her mother: “Don’t cry, mom, you have a life ahead of you, your good, pure soul remains ... We will plant a new garden, more luxurious than this ... and you will smile, mother! Let's go, honey! Let's go to!.."

Action 4

October. Scenery of the first act. There are no curtains on the windows, no paintings, there is a little furniture left, which is folded into one corner, as if for sale. Feels empty. Enter Ranevskaya and Gaev; she is pale, her face trembles, she cannot speak. Lopakhin offers champagne at parting, but no one responds. Then Yasha gets champagne, he does not refuse to drink, and even criticizes: "champagne is not real." Yasha laughs with pleasure: they take him to Paris. Twenty minutes left before departure.

Trofimov enters, looking for his galoshes. Lopakhin tells him that he is also leaving: “I kept hanging out with you, I was exhausted with nothing to do. I can't live without work..” Trofimov is going to Moscow. Lopakhin teases: “Well, professors don’t give lectures, I suppose everyone is waiting for you to arrive! .. How long have you been studying at the university?” Trofimov waved him off languidly. He says: “You know, we probably won’t see each other again ... After all, I still love you. You have thin, tender fingers, like an artist, you have a thin, tender soul ... ”Lopakhin is touched, offers him money for the journey, but Petya refuses:“ I am a free man. And everything that you all, rich and poor, value so highly and dearly, has not the slightest power over me, just like fluff that rushes through the air. I can do without you, I am strong and proud. Humanity is moving towards the highest truth, the highest happiness possible on earth, and I am in the forefront!” Lopakhin: "Will you get there?" Trofimov: "I will reach ... I will reach or I will show others the way how to reach."

You can hear the sound of an ax banging on wood in the distance. Lopakhin says goodbye to Petya: “When I work for a long time, without getting tired, then my thoughts are easier, and it seems as if I also know why I exist. And how many, brother, there are people in Russia who exist for no one knows why ... Leonid Andreevich, they say, accepted a job, will be in a bank, six thousand a year ... But he won’t sit still, he’s very lazy ... "

Anya enters, conveys her mother's request that the garden not be cut down before her departure. Lopakhin goes to give orders. First Anya, then Varya, they ask if Firs was sent to the hospital. Yasha replies that “he said in the morning ...”, that is, he shifted this matter to others. Yasha's mother comes to say goodbye. Yasha is dissatisfied: "They only take it out of patience." Dunyasha cries: “You are leaving, you are leaving me ...” Yasha drinks champagne: “It’s not for me here, I can’t live ... there’s nothing to be done. Seen enough of ignorance - will be with me. Behave yourself, then you won't cry."

Gaev and Ranevskaya enter. Lyubov Andreevna: “Goodbye, sweet home, old grandfather. Winter will pass, spring will come, and you will no longer be there, they will break you ... ”Anna does not share her mother’s sadness, she is happy:“ A new life begins! .. I will prepare, pass the exam at the gymnasium and then I will work ... " Pishchik, out of breath, appears. He says that white clay was found in his estate. Now the English have leased the estate from him and paid a lot of money.

Ranevskaya says that she has two worries - the sick Firs and Varya. She hears that the old man has been sent to the hospital and calms down. Lyubov Andreevna speaks to Lopakhin about Var: “I dreamed of marrying her to you ...” Lopakhin is ready to make an offer. Ranevskaya calls Varya and leaves them alone. Varya pretends to be looking for something. Lopakhin is still unable to start a conversation. Suddenly, someone calls him, and he quickly leaves, as if he was waiting for this call. Varya, sitting on the floor, quietly sobs.

Final preparations before departure. Ranevskaya and Gaev say goodbye to the house. Anya: "Goodbye, old life!" Petya picks up: “Hello, new life!” Everyone except Gaev and Ranevskaya exits. “They were definitely waiting for this, throwing themselves on each other’s necks and sobbing restrainedly, quietly, afraid that they would not be heard.” Lyubov Andreevna: “Oh my dear, my gentle beautiful garden! .. My life, my youth, my happiness, goodbye! ..”

The stage is empty. You can hear how all the doors are locked with a key, how the carriages drive off. Amidst the silence, there is a dull knock on wood, sounding lonely and sad. Footsteps are heard, Firs appears: “Locked. They left... They forgot about me... Nothing... I'll sit here... Life has passed, as if it hadn't lived. I'll lie down... You don't have any Silushka, there's nothing left, nothing... Oh, you... you idiot!..» He lies motionless.

A distant sound is heard, as if from the sky, the sound of a broken string, fading, sad. There is silence, and only one can hear how far in the garden they knock with an ax on a tree.

"The Cherry Orchard" is a lyrical play by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov in four acts, the genre of which the author himself defined as a comedy.

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The success of the play, written in 1903, was so obvious that on January 17, 1904, the comedy was shown at the Moscow Art Theater. The Cherry Orchard is one of the most famous Russian plays created at that time. It is noteworthy that it is based on Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's own painful impressions of his friend A.S. Kiselev, whose estate was also auctioned off.

An important thing in the history of the creation of the play is that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov wrote it already at the end of his life, being seriously ill. That is why the work on the work progressed very difficult: about three years passed from the beginning of the play to its production.

This is the first reason. The second lies in Chekhov's desire to fit into his play, intended for staging on the stage, the whole result of reflections on the fate of his characters, the work on the images of which was carried out very scrupulously.

The artistic originality of the play became the pinnacle of the work of Chekhov the playwright.

Step one: meeting the characters in the play

The heroes of the play - Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich, the maid Dunyasha, the clerk Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich (who is very clumsy, "22 misfortunes", as those around him call him) - are waiting for the mistress of the estate, the landowner Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna, to arrive. She is due to return after a five-year absence, and the household is in turmoil. Finally, Lyubov Andreevna and her daughter Anya crossed the threshold of their house. The hostess is incredibly glad that she has finally returned to her native land. Nothing has changed here in five years. Sisters Anya and Varya are talking to each other, rejoicing at the long-awaited meeting, the maid Dunyasha is preparing coffee, ordinary household trifles make the landowner tender. She is kind and generous - and to the old lackey Firs, and to other household members, she willingly talks with her own brother, Leonid Gaev, but her beloved daughters evoke special quivering feelings. Everything, it would seem, goes on as usual, but suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, the message of the merchant Lopakhin: "... Your estate is being sold for debts, but there is a way out... Here is my project..." , after cutting it out. He claims that this will bring a considerable income to the family - 25 thousand a year and save him from complete ruin, but no one agrees to such a proposal. The family does not want to part with the cherry orchard, which they consider the best and to which they are attached with all their hearts.

So, no one listens to Lopakhin. Ranevskaya pretends that nothing is happening and continues to answer meaningless questions about the trip to Paris, not wanting to accept reality as it is. Again, a casual conversation starts about nothing.

Petya Trofimov, the former teacher of the deceased son of Ranevskaya Grisha, who at first was unrecognized by her, enters, causing tears in his mother with his reminder. The day is ending... Finally, everyone goes to bed.

Action two: there is very little left before the sale of the cherry orchard

The action takes place in nature, near an old church, from where you can see both the cherry orchard and the city. There is very little time left before the sale of the cherry orchard at auction - literally a matter of days. Lopakhin is trying to convince Ranevskaya and her brother to rent the garden for summer cottages, but no one wants to hear him again, they hope for the money that the Yaroslavl aunt will send. Lyubov Ranevskaya recalls the past, perceiving her misfortunes as a punishment for sins. First, her husband died from champagne, then Grisha's son drowned in the river, after which she left for Paris so that memories of the area where such grief happened would not stir her soul.

Lopakhin suddenly opened up, talking about his difficult fate in childhood, when his father “did not teach, but only beat him while drunk, and everything with a stick ...” Lyubov Andreevna invites him to marry Vara, her adopted daughter.

Enter student Petya Trofimov and both daughters of Ranevskaya. Trofimov and Lopakhin start a conversation. One says that “in Russia, very few people are still working”, the other calls to evaluate everything that is given by God and start working.

The attention of the conversers is attracted by a passerby who recites poetry, and then asks to donate thirty kopecks. Lyubov Andreevna gives him a gold coin, for which her daughter Varya reproaches her. “People have nothing to eat,” she says. “And you gave him the gold…”

After Varya leaves, Lyubov Andreevna, Lopakhina and Gaev Anya and Trofimov are left alone. The girl confesses to Petya that she no longer loves the cherry orchard, as before. The student argues: “... To live in the present, you must first redeem the past ... by suffering and continuous work ...”

Varya is heard calling for Anya, but her sister is only annoyed, not responding to her voice.

Act Three: The Day the Cherry Orchard is for Sale

The third act of The Cherry Orchard takes place in the living room in the evening. Couples dance, but no one feels joy. Everyone is depressed about looming debt. Lyubov Andreevna understands that they started the ball quite inopportunely. Those in the house are waiting for Leonid, who should bring news from the city: whether the garden has been sold or the auction has not taken place at all. But Gaev is still no and no. The family is starting to get worried. The old footman Firs confesses that he does not feel well.

Trofimov teases Varya with Madame Lopakhina, which irritates the girl. But Lyubov Andreevna really offers to marry a merchant. Varya seems to agree, but the catch is that Lopakhin has not yet made an offer, and she does not want to impose herself.

Lyubov Andreevna is experiencing more and more: whether the estate has been sold. Trofimov reassures Ranevskaya: "Does it matter, there is no turning back, the path is overgrown."

Lyubov Andreevna takes out a handkerchief, from which a telegram falls, in which it is reported that her beloved has fallen ill again and calls her. Trofimov begins to argue: “he is a petty scoundrel and a nonentity,” to which Ranevskaya replies with anger, calling the student a klutz, a clean-cut and a funny eccentric who does not know how to love. Petya is offended and leaves. A roar is heard. Anya reports that a student has fallen down the stairs.

The young lackey Yasha, talking with Ranevskaya, asks to go to Paris if she has the opportunity to go there. Everyone seems to be busy talking, but they are anxiously waiting for the outcome of the auction for the cherry orchard. Lyubov Andreevna is especially worried, she literally cannot find a place for herself. Finally, Lopakhin and Gaev enter. It can be seen that Leonid Andreevich is crying. Lopakhin reports that the cherry orchard has been sold, and when asked who bought it, he answers: “I bought it.” Ermolai Alekseevich reports the details of the auction. Lyubov Andreevna sobs, realizing that nothing can be changed. Anya consoles her, trying to focus on the fact that life goes on, no matter what. She seeks to inspire hope that they will plant "a new garden, more luxurious than this ... and a quiet, deep joy will descend on the soul like the sun."

Action four: after the sale of the estate

The property has been sold. In the corner of the children's room are packed things ready for pickup. Peasants come to say goodbye to their former owners. The sounds of cherries being cut down can be heard from the street. Lopakhin offers champagne, but no one except Yasha, the footman, wants to drink it. Each of the former residents of the estate is depressed by what happened, family friends are also depressed. Anya voices her mother's request that, until she leaves, they do not cut down the garden.

“Really, is there really a lack of tact,” says Petya Trofimov, and leaves through the hall.

Yasha and Ranevskaya are going to Paris, Dunyasha, in love with a young lackey, asks him to send a letter from abroad.

Gaev hurries Lyubov Andreevna. The landowner sadly says goodbye to the house and garden, but Anna admits that a new life begins for her. Gaev is also happy.

Governess Charlotte Ivanovna, leaving, sings a song.

Simeonov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich, a neighbor-landowner, comes into the house. To the surprise of everyone, he repays both Lyubov Andreevna and Lopakhin. He tells the news about a successful deal: he managed to lease the land to the British for the extraction of rare white clay. The neighbor did not even know that the estate was sold, so he is surprised to see the packed suitcases and the preparations of the former owners for departure.

Lyubov Andreevna, firstly, worries about the sick Firs, because it is still not known for certain whether he was sent to the hospital or not. Anya claims that Yasha did it, but the girl is mistaken. Secondly, Ranevskaya is afraid that Lopakhin will never make an offer to Varya. They seem to be indifferent to each other, however, no one wants to take the first step. And although Lyubov Andreevna makes the last attempt to leave young people alone to solve this difficult issue, nothing comes of such an undertaking.

After the former mistress of the house looks longingly at the walls and windows of the house for the last time, everyone leaves.

In the bustle, they did not notice that they locked up the sick Firs, who mutters: “Life has passed, as if it had not lived.” The old lackey does not hold a grudge against the owners. He lays down on the sofa and passes into another world.

We bring to your attention the story of Anton Chekhov, where, with the subtle and inimitable irony inherent in the writer, he describes the character of the main character - Shchukina. What was the peculiarity of her behavior, read in the story.

The essence of the play "The Cherry Orchard"

It is known from literary sources that Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was very happy when he came up with the name for the play - The Cherry Orchard.

It seems natural, because it reflects the very essence of the work: the old way of life is changing to a completely new one, and the cherry orchard, which the former owners valued, is ruthlessly cut down when the estate passes into the hands of the enterprising merchant Lopakhin. The Cherry Orchard is a prototype of old Russia, which is gradually disappearing into oblivion. The past is fatefully crossed out, giving way to new plans and intentions, which, according to the author, are better than the previous ones.

The Cherry Orchard is a social play by A.P. Chekhov about the death and degeneration of the Russian nobility. It was written by Anton Pavlovich in the last years of his life. Many critics say that it is this drama that expresses the writer's attitude to the past, present and future of Russia.

Initially, the author planned to create a carefree and funny play, where the main driving force of the action would be the sale of the estate under the hammer. In 1901, in a letter to his wife, he shares his ideas. Previously, he had already raised a similar topic in the drama "Fatherlessness", but he recognized that experience as unsuccessful. Chekhov wanted to experiment, not resurrect plots buried in his desk. The process of impoverishment and degeneration of the nobles passed before his eyes, and he watched, creating and accumulating vital material to create artistic truth.

The history of the creation of The Cherry Orchard began in Taganrog, when the writer's father was forced to sell the family nest for debts. Apparently, Anton Pavlovich experienced something similar to the feelings of Ranevskaya, which is why he so subtly delved into the experiences of seemingly fictional characters. In addition, Chekhov was personally acquainted with the prototype of Gaev - A.S. Kiselev, who also donated the estate in order to improve his shaky financial situation. His situation is one of hundreds. The entire Kharkov province, where the writer had visited more than once, became shallow: the noble nests disappeared. Such a large-scale and controversial process attracted the attention of the playwright: on the one hand, the peasants were freed and received the long-awaited freedom, on the other hand, this reform did not add prosperity to anyone. Such an obvious tragedy could not be ignored, the light comedy conceived by Chekhov did not work out.

The meaning of the name

Since the cherry orchard symbolizes Russia, we can conclude that the author devoted the work to the question of her fate, as Gogol wrote Dead Souls for the sake of the question “Where does the troika fly?”. In fact, this is not about selling the estate, but about what will happen to the country? Will they sell it, will they cut it down for profit? Chekhov, analyzing the situation, understood that the degeneration of the nobility, the supporting class for the monarchy, promises trouble for Russia. If these people, called by their origin to be the core of the state, cannot be held responsible for their actions, then the country will go to the bottom. Such gloomy thoughts lay in wait for the author on the reverse side of the topic he touched upon. It turned out that his heroes were not laughing, just like himself.

The symbolic meaning of the title of the play "The Cherry Orchard" is to convey to the reader the idea of ​​the work - the search for an answer to questions about the fate of Russia. Without this sign, we would perceive comedy as a family drama, a drama from private life, or a parable about the problem of fathers and children. That is, an erroneous, narrow interpretation of what was written would not allow the reader to understand the main thing even after a hundred years: we are all responsible for our garden, regardless of generation, beliefs and social status.

Why did Chekhov call The Cherry Orchard a comedy?

Many researchers really classify it as a comedy, since along with tragic events (the destruction of an entire estate), comic scenes constantly occur in the play. That is, it cannot be unequivocally attributed to a comedy, it is more correct to classify The Cherry Orchard as a tragic farce or tragicomedy, since many researchers attribute Chekhov's dramaturgy to a new phenomenon in the theater of the 20th century - anti-drama. The author himself stood at the origins of this trend, so he did not call himself that. However, the innovation of his work spoke for itself. This is now recognized as a writer and introduced into the school curriculum, and then many of his works remained incomprehensible, as they were out of the common rut.

The genre of The Cherry Orchard is difficult to define, because now, given the dramatic revolutionary events that Chekhov did not find, we can say that this play is a tragedy. An entire era dies in it, and hopes for revival are so weak and vague that it’s somehow impossible to even smile in the finale. An open ending, a closed curtain, and only a dull knock on wood is heard in my thoughts. This is the impression of the performance.

Main idea

The ideological and thematic meaning of the play "The Cherry Orchard" is that Russia is at a crossroads: it can choose the path to the past, present and future. Chekhov shows the mistakes and failure of the past, the vices and predatory grip of the present, but he still hopes for a happy future, showing the sublime and at the same time independent representatives of the new generation. The past, no matter how beautiful it may be, cannot be returned, the present is too imperfect and miserable to accept, so we must put all our efforts into ensuring that the future lives up to bright expectations. To do this, everyone should try right now, without delay.

The author shows how important the action is, but not the mechanical pursuit of profit, but the spiritualized, meaningful, moral action. It is about him that Pyotr Trofimov speaks, it is him that Anechka wants to see. However, we also see the pernicious legacy of past years in the student - he talks a lot, but did little for his 27 years. Nevertheless, the writer hopes that this age-old slumber will be overcome on a clear and cool morning - tomorrow, where the educated, but at the same time active descendants of the Lopakhins and Ranevskys will come.

Theme of the work

1. The author used an image that is well known to each of us and understandable to everyone. Many have cherry orchards to this day, and then they were an indispensable attribute of every estate. They bloom in May, beautifully and fragrantly defend the week allotted to them, and then quickly fall off. The nobility, once the backbone of the Russian Empire, mired in debt and endless polemics, fell just as beautifully and suddenly. As a matter of fact, these people were unable to justify the hopes placed on them. Many of them, with their irresponsible attitude to life, only undermined the foundations of Russian statehood. What should have been a centuries-old oak forest was just a cherry orchard: beautiful, but quickly vanished. Cherry fruits, alas, were not worth the place they occupied. This is how the theme of the death of noble nests was revealed in the play "The Cherry Orchard".
2. The themes of the past, present and future are realized in the work thanks to a multi-level system of images. Each generation symbolizes the time allotted to it. In the images of Ranevskaya and Gaev, the past dies, in the image of Lopakhin the present is in charge, but the future is waiting for its day in the images of Anya and Peter. The natural course of events acquires a human face, the change of generations is shown on concrete examples.
3. The theme of time also occupies an important place. His power is devastating. Water wears away a stone - and so time erases human laws, destinies and beliefs into powder. Until recently, Ranevskaya could not even think that her former serf would settle in the estate and cut down the garden, which was passed down by Gaev from generation to generation. This unshakable order of the social order collapsed and sunk into oblivion, in its place capital and its market laws hoisted up, in which power was provided by money, and not by position and origin.

Issues

1. The problem of human happiness in the play "The Cherry Orchard" is manifested in all the fates of the characters. Ranevskaya, for example, experienced many troubles in this garden, but she is happy to return here again. She fills the house with her warmth, remembers her native lands, nostalgic. She is not at all worried about debts, the sale of the estate, the inheritance of her daughter, after all. She is happy with forgotten and re-experienced impressions. But now the house has been sold, the bills have been repaid, and happiness is in no hurry with the advent of a new life. Lopakhin tells her about calmness, but only anxiety grows in her soul. Instead of liberation comes depression. Thus, that for one happiness is misfortune for another, all people understand its essence in different ways, which is why it is so difficult for them to get along together and help each other.
2. The problem of preserving memory also worries Chekhov. People of the present ruthlessly cut down what was the pride of the province. Noble nests, historically important buildings, perish from inattention, are erased into oblivion. Of course, active businessmen will always find arguments to destroy unprofitable junk, but historical monuments, monuments of culture and art, which the Lopakhins' children will regret, will perish so ingloriously. They will be deprived of ties with the past, the continuity of generations, and will grow up as Ivans who do not remember kinship.
3. The problem of ecology in the play does not go unnoticed. The author affirms not only the historical value of the cherry orchard, but also its natural beauty, its importance for the province. All the inhabitants of the surrounding villages breathed these trees, and their disappearance is a small ecological catastrophe. The area will be orphaned, the gaping lands will become impoverished, but people will fill every patch of inhospitable space. The attitude to nature should be as careful as to a person, otherwise we will all be left without a home that we love so much.
4. The problem of fathers and children is embodied in the relationship between Ranevskaya and Anechka. You can see the estrangement between family members. The girl regrets the unlucky mother, but she does not want to share her way of life. Lyubov Andreevna indulges the child with gentle nicknames, but cannot understand that in front of her is no longer a child. The woman continues to pretend that she still does not understand anything, therefore she shamelessly builds her personal life to the detriment of her interests. They are very different, so they do not make any attempts to find a common language.
5. The problem of love for the motherland, or rather, its absence, is also traced in the work. Gaev, for example, is indifferent to the garden, he cares only about his own comfort. His interests do not rise above consumer ones, so the fate of his home does not bother him. Lopakhin, his opposite, also does not understand Ranevskaya's scrupulousness. However, he does not understand what to do with the garden either. He is guided only by mercantile considerations, profits and calculations are important to him, but not the safety of his home. He clearly expresses only love for money and the process of obtaining it. A generation of children dream of a new garden, they don't need the old one. This is where the problem of indifference comes into play. Nobody needs the Cherry Orchard, except for Ranevskaya, and even she needs memories and the old way of life, where she could do nothing and live happily. Her indifference to people and things is expressed in the scene where she calmly drinks coffee while listening to the news of the death of her nanny.
6. The problem of loneliness torments every hero. Ranevskaya was abandoned and deceived by her lover, Lopakhin cannot improve relations with Varya, Gaev is an egoist by nature, Peter and Anna are just beginning to get closer, and it is already obvious that they are lost in a world where there is no one to give them a helping hand.
7. The problem of mercy haunts Ranevskaya: no one can support her, all men not only do not help, but do not spare her. The husband drank himself, the lover left, Lopakhin took away the estate, her brother does not care about her. Against this background, she herself becomes cruel: she forgets Firs in the house, he is nailed inside. In the image of all these troubles lies an inexorable fate that is merciless to people.
8. The problem of finding the meaning of life. Lopakhin is clearly not satisfied with his meaning of life, which is why he evaluates himself so low. This search only awaits Anna and Peter ahead, but they are already winding, not finding a place for themselves. Ranevskaya and Gaev, with the loss of material wealth and their privileges, are lost and cannot find their bearings again.
9. The problem of love and selfishness is clearly visible in the contrast of brother and sister: Gaev loves only himself and does not particularly suffer from losses, but Ranevskaya searched for love all her life, but did not find it, and she herself lost it along the way. Only crumbs fell to the lot of Anechka and the cherry orchard. Even a loving person can become selfish after so many years of disappointment.
10. The problem of moral choice and responsibility concerns, first of all, Lopakhin. He gets Russia, his activities are able to change it. However, he lacks the moral foundations for realizing the importance of his actions for his descendants, realizing the responsibility to them. He lives by the principle: "After us - even a flood." He does not care what will be, he sees what is.

Symbolism of the play

The garden is the main character in Chekhov's play. It not only symbolizes estate life, but also connects times and epochs. The image of the Cherry Orchard is noble Russia, with the help of which Anton Pavlovich predicted the future of the changes that awaited the country, although he himself could no longer see them. It also expresses the author's attitude to what is happening.

Episodes depict ordinary everyday situations, "little things in life", through which we learn about the main events of the play. In Chekhov, the tragic and the comic are mixed, for example, in the third act Trofimov philosophizes, and then absurdly falls down the stairs. In this one can see a certain symbolism of the author's attitude: he ironically over the characters, casts doubt on the veracity of their words.

The system of images is also symbolic, the meaning of which is described in a separate paragraph.

Composition

The first step is exposure. Everyone is waiting for the arrival of the mistress of the estate Ranevskaya from Paris. In the house, everyone thinks and talks about his own, not listening to others. The disunity, located under the roof, illustrates the discordant Russia, where such dissimilar people live.

The plot - Lyubov Andreeva enters with her daughter, gradually everyone learns that they are in danger of ruin. Neither Gaev nor Ranevskaya (brother and sister) can prevent it. Only Lopakhin knows a tolerable rescue plan: to cut down cherries and build dachas, but the proud owners do not agree with him.

Second action. As the sun sets, the fate of the garden is once again discussed. Ranevskaya arrogantly rejects Lopakhin's help and continues to do nothing in the bliss of her own memories. Gaev and the merchant constantly quarrel.

Third act (culmination): while the old owners of the garden are having a ball, as if nothing had happened, the auction is going on: the former serf Lopakhin acquires the estate.

Fourth act (denouement): Ranevskaya returns to Paris to squander the rest of her savings. After her departure, everyone disperses in all directions. Only the old servant Firs remains in the packed house.

Chekhov's innovation as a playwright

It remains to add that the play is not without reason beyond the understanding of many schoolchildren. Many researchers attribute it to the theater of the absurd (what is it?). This is a very complex and controversial phenomenon in modernist literature, the debate about the origin of which continues to this day. The fact is that Chekhov's plays can be classified as a theater of the absurd for a number of reasons. The lines of the heroes very often have no logical connection with each other. They seem to be turned to nowhere, as if they are spoken by one person and at the same time talking to himself. The destruction of dialogue, the failure of communication - this is what the so-called anti-drama is famous for. In addition, the alienation of the individual from the world, his global loneliness and life turned into the past, the problem of happiness - all these are features of the existential problem in the work, which are again inherent in the theater of the absurd. This is where the innovation of Chekhov the playwright in the play The Cherry Orchard manifested itself, and these features attract many researchers in his work. Such a “provocative” phenomenon, misunderstood and condemned by public opinion, is difficult to fully perceive even for an adult, not to mention the fact that only a few who were attached to the world of art managed to fall in love with the theater of the absurd.

Image system

Chekhov does not have telling surnames, like Ostrovsky, Fonvizin, Griboedov, but there are off-stage characters (for example, a Parisian lover, Yaroslavl aunt) who are important in the play, but Chekhov does not bring them into "external" action. There is no division into good and bad characters in this drama, but there is a multifaceted character system. The characters in the play can be divided into:

• on the heroes of the past (Ranevskaya, Gaev, Firs). They only know how to waste money and think, not wanting to change anything in their lives.
• on the heroes of the present (Lopakhin). Lopakhin is a simple “muzhik” who got rich with the help of labor, bought an estate and is not going to stop.
• on the heroes of the future (Trofimov, Anya) - this is the younger generation, dreaming of the highest truth and the highest happiness.

The characters in The Cherry Orchard are constantly jumping from one topic to another. With visible dialogue, they do not hear each other. There are as many as 34 pauses in the play, which are formed between many "unnecessary" statements of the characters. The phrase is repeatedly repeated: “You are still the same”, which makes it clear that the characters do not change, they stand still.

The action of the play "The Cherry Orchard" begins in May, when the fruits of the cherry trees begin to bloom, and ends in October. The conflict does not have a pronounced character. All the main events that decide the future of the heroes take place behind the scenes (for example, the sale of the estate). That is, Chekhov completely abandons the norms of classicism.

Characters

Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna, landowner.

Anya, her daughter, 17 years old.

Varya, her adopted daughter, aged 24.

Gaev Leonid Andreevich, brother of Ranevskaya.

Lopakhin Ermolai Alekseevich, merchant.

Trofimov Petr Sergeevich, student.

Simeonov-Pishchik Boris Borisovich, landowner.

Charlotte Ivanovna, governess.

Epikhodov Semyon Panteleevich, clerk.

Dunyasha, housemaid.

Firs, footman, old man 87 years old.

Yasha, a young footman.

passerby.

station master.

Postal official.

Guests, servants.

The action takes place in the estate of L. A. Ranevskaya.

Act one

The room, which is still called the nursery. One of the doors leads to Anna's room. Dawn, soon the sun will rise. It's already May, the cherry trees are blooming, but it's cold in the garden, it's a matinee. The windows in the room are closed.

Enter Dunyasha with a candle and Lopakhin with a book in hand.

Lopakhin. The train arrived, thank God. What time is it now?

Dunyasha. Two soon. (Extinguishes the candle.) It's already light.

Lopakhin. How late was the train? Two hours at least. (Yawns and stretches.) I'm good, what a fool I made! I came here on purpose to meet me at the station, and suddenly I overslept... I fell asleep while sitting. Annoyance ... If only you would wake me up.

Dunyasha. I thought you left. (Listens.) It looks like they are already on their way.

Lopakhin(listens). No ... get luggage, then yes ...

Pause.

Lyubov Andreevna lived abroad for five years, I don’t know what she has become now ... She is a good person. Easy, simple person. I remember when I was a boy of about fifteen, my late father - he then traded here in the village in a shop - hit me in the face with his fist, blood came out of my nose ... Then we came together for some reason to the yard, and he was drunk. Lyubov Andreevna, as I remember now, still young, so thin, led me to the washstand, in this very room, in the nursery. “Don’t cry, he says, little man, he will heal before the wedding ...”

Pause.

Little man... My father, it's true, was a man, but here I am in a white waistcoat and yellow shoes. With a pig's snout in a kalashny row ... Only now he is rich, there is a lot of money, but if you think and figure it out, then a peasant is a peasant ... (Flips through the book.) I read the book and didn't understand anything. Read and fell asleep.

Pause.

Dunyasha. And the dogs did not sleep all night, they can smell that the owners are coming.

Lopakhin. What are you, Dunyasha, such a ...

Dunyasha. Hands are shaking. I will faint.

Lopakhin. You are very gentle, Dunyasha. And you dress like a young lady, and your hair too. You can not do it this way. We must remember ourselves.

Included Epikhodov with a bouquet: he is in a jacket and in brightly polished boots that creak strongly; entering, he drops the bouquet.

Epikhodov(raises bouquet). Here the gardener sent, he says, put it in the dining room. (Gives Dunyasha a bouquet.)

Lopakhin. And bring me kvass.

Dunyasha. I'm listening. (Exits.)

Epikhodov. Now it's a matinee, the frost is three degrees, and the cherry is all in bloom. I can't approve of our climate. (Sighs.) I can not. Our climate cannot help just right. Here, Ermolai Alekseich, allow me to add, I bought myself boots the third day, and I dare to assure you, they creak so that there is no possibility. What to grease?

Lopakhin. Leave me alone. Tired.

Epikhodov. Every day some misfortune happens to me. And I don’t grumble, I’m used to it and even smile.

Dunyasha enters, serves Lopakhin kvass.

I will go. (Bumps into a chair, which falls over.) Here… (As if triumphant.) You see, sorry for the expression, what a circumstance, by the way ... It's just wonderful! (Exits.)

Dunyasha. And to me, Ermolai Alekseich, I confess, Epikhodov made an offer.

Lopakhin. AND!

Dunyasha. I don’t know how ... He is a meek person, but only sometimes, as soon as he starts talking, you won’t understand anything. And good, and sensitive, just incomprehensible. I seem to like him. He loves me madly. He is an unhappy man, every day something. They tease him like that with us: twenty-two misfortunes ...

Lopakhin(listens). Looks like they're on their way...

Dunyasha. They're coming! What is it with me ... all cold.

Lopakhin. They go, in fact. Let's go meet. Will she recognize me? Haven't seen each other for five years.

Dunyasha(in excitement). I'm going to fall... Oh, I'm going to fall!

You can hear two carriages pulling up to the house. Lopakhin and Dunyasha leave quickly. The stage is empty. There is noise in the neighboring rooms. Through the stage, leaning on a stick, hastily passes Firs who went to meet Lyubov Andreevna; he is in an ancient livery and a tall hat; something speaks to itself, but not a single word can be made out. The background noise gets louder and louder. Voice: "Let's go here..." Lyubov Andreevna, Anya and Charlotte Ivanovna with a dog on a chain, dressed in a travel way. Varya in a coat and scarf, Gaev, Simeonov-Pishchik, Lopakhin, Dunyasha with knot and umbrella, servant with things - everyone goes through the room.

Anya. Let's go here. Do you remember what room this is?

Lyubov Andreevna(joyfully, through tears). Children's!

Varya. How cold, my hands are numb. (Lyubov Andreevna.) Your rooms, white and purple, are the same, Mommy.

Lyubov Andreevna. Children's, my dear, beautiful room ... I slept here when I was little ... (Crying.) And now I'm like a little... (He kisses his brother, Varya, then again his brother.) And Varya is still the same, she looks like a nun. And I recognized Dunyasha ... (Kisses Dunyasha.)

Gaev. The train was two hours late. What is it? What are the orders?

Charlotte(Pishchiku). My dog ​​eats nuts too.

Pishchik(surprised). You think!

Everyone leaves except Anya and Dunyasha.

Dunyasha. We are tired of waiting ... (Takes off Ani's coat, hat.)

Anya. I did not sleep on the road for four nights ... now I am very cold.

Dunyasha. You left during Great Lent, then there was snow, there was frost, and now? My sweetheart! (Laughs, kisses her.) I’ve been waiting for you, my joy, my little light… I’ll tell you now, I can’t stand one minute…

Anya(sluggishly). Something again...

Dunyasha. The clerk Epikhodov proposed to me after the Saint.

Anya. You are all about the same... (Fixing her hair.) I lost all my pins... (She is very tired, even staggers.)

Dunyasha. I don't know what to think. He loves me, he loves me so!

Anya(looks at his door, tenderly). My room, my windows, like I never left. I'm home! Tomorrow morning I will get up and run to the garden... Oh, if only I could sleep! I did not sleep all the way, anxiety tormented me.

Dunyasha. On the third day Pyotr Sergeyevich arrived.

Anya(joyfully). Petya!

Dunyasha. They sleep in the bathhouse, they live there. I'm afraid, they say, to embarrass. (Glancing at his pocket watch.) We ought to wake them up, but Varvara Mikhailovna didn't tell them to. You, he says, don't wake him up.

Included Varya, on her belt she has a knitting of keys.

Varya. Dunyasha, coffee as soon as possible ... Mommy asks for coffee.

Dunyasha. This minute. (Exits.)

Varya. Well, thank God, they arrived. You are at home again. (caressing.)

Anya. I suffered.

Varya. I imagine!

Anya. I left on Holy Week, when it was cold. Charlotte talks all the way, doing tricks. And why did you force Charlotte on me...

Varya. You can't go alone, my dear. At seventeen!

Anya. We arrive in Paris, it's cold there, it's snowing. I speak French terribly. Mom lives on the fifth floor, I come to her, she has some French, ladies, an old priest with a book, and it's smoky, uncomfortable. I suddenly felt sorry for my mother, so sorry, I hugged her head, squeezed her hands and could not let go. Mom then caressed everything, cried ...

Varya(through tears). Don't talk, don't talk...

Anya. She had already sold her dacha near Menton, she had nothing left, nothing. I didn't even have a penny left, we barely got there. And my mom doesn't understand! We sit down at the station to dine, and she demands the most expensive thing and gives the lackeys a ruble for tea. Charlotte too. Yasha also demands a portion, it's just awful. After all, my mother has a footman Yasha, we brought him here ...

Varya. I saw a scoundrel.

Anya. Well, how? Did you pay interest?

Varya. Where exactly.

Anya. My God, my God...

Varya. In August, the estate will be sold ...

Anya. Oh my God…

Lopakhin(looks in the door and hums). Me-e-e… (Exits.)

Varya(through tears). That's what I would give him... (Shakes fist.)

Anya(hugs Varya, quietly). Varya, did he propose? (Varya shakes her head negatively.) After all, he loves you ... Why don't you explain what you are waiting for?

Varya. I don't think we can do anything. He has a lot to do, he is not up to me ... and does not pay attention. God is with him at all, it’s hard for me to see him ... Everyone talks about our wedding, everyone congratulates, but in reality there is nothing, everything is like a dream ... (In a different tone.) Your brooch looks like a bee.

Anya(sadly). Mom bought this . (Goes to his room, speaks cheerfully, like a child.) And in Paris I flew in a hot air balloon!

Varya. My darling has arrived! Beauty has arrived!

Dunyasha already returned with a coffee pot and brews coffee.

(Stands near the door.) I go, my dear, the whole day doing housework and dreaming all the time. If I were to marry you off as a rich man, then I would be dead, I would go to the desert, then to Kyiv ... to Moscow, and so I would go to holy places ... I would go and go. Blessing!..

Anya. The birds are singing in the garden. What time is it now?

Varya. Must be the third. It's time for you to sleep, darling. (Entering Anna's room.) Grace!

Included Yasha with a blanket, travel bag.

Yasha(walks across the stage, delicately). Can you go through here?

Dunyasha. And you don't recognize you, Yasha. What did you become abroad.

Yasha. Hm... And who are you?

Dunyasha. When you left here, I was like... (Points from the floor.) Dunyasha, Fyodor Kozoedov's daughter. You do not remember!

Yasha. Hmm... Cucumber! (He looks around and hugs her; she screams and drops her saucer. Yasha quickly leaves.)

Dunyasha(through tears). Broke the saucer...

Varya. This is good.

Anya(leaving her room). You should warn your mother: Petya is here ...

Varya. I ordered him not to wake up.

Anya(thoughtfully). Six years ago my father died, and a month later my brother Grisha, a pretty seven-year-old boy, drowned in the river. Mom couldn’t bear it, she left, left without looking back ... (Starts.) How I understand her, if she knew!

Pause.

And Petya Trofimov was Grisha's teacher, he can remind ...

Included Firs, he is in a jacket and a white vest.

Firs(goes to the coffee pot, anxiously). The lady will eat here ... (Puts on white gloves.) Ready for coffee? (Strictly Dunyasha.) You! What about cream?

Dunyasha. Oh my god… (Quickly leaves.)

Firs(bustles around the coffee pot). Oh you are a fool... (Mumbling to himself.) They came from Paris... And the master once went to Paris... on horseback... (Laughs.)

Varya. Firs, what are you talking about?

Firs. What would you like? (Joyfully.) My lady has arrived! Waited! Now even die... (Crying for joy.)

Enter Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev, Lopakhin and Simeonov-Pishchik; Simeonov-Pishchik in a fine cloth coat and trousers. Gaev, entering, with his arms and torso, makes movements, as if he were playing billiards.

Lyubov Andreevna. Like this? Let me remember... Yellow in the corner! Doublet in the middle!

Gaev. I cut into the corner! Once upon a time, you and I, sister, slept in this very room, and now I am already fifty-one years old, oddly enough ...

Lopakhin. Yes, time is ticking.

Gaev. Whom?

Lopakhin. Time, I say, is running out.

Gaev. And it smells like patchouli in here.

Anya. I'll go to sleep. Good night, Mom. (Kisses mother.)

Lyubov Andreevna. My beloved child. (Kisses her hands.) Are you glad you're home? I won't come to my senses.

Anya. Farewell, uncle.

Gaev(kisses her face and hands). The Lord is with you. How you look like your mother! (Sister.) You, Lyuba, were exactly like that at her age.

Anya offers her hand to Lopakhin and Pishchik, goes out and shuts the door behind her.

Lyubov Andreevna. She was very tired.

Pishchik. The road is a long one.

Varya(Lopakhin and Pishchik). Well, gentlemen? The third hour, it's time and honor to know.

Lyubov Andreevna(laughs). You are still the same, Varya. (He draws her to him and kisses her.) I'll drink coffee, then we'll all leave.

Firs puts a pillow under her feet.

Thank you dear. I'm used to coffee. I drink it day and night. Thanks my old man. (Kisses Firs.)

Varya. See if all the things have been brought... (Exits.)

Lyubov Andreevna. Is this me sitting? (Laughs.) I want to jump, wave my arms. (He covers his face with his hands.) And suddenly I'm sleeping! God knows, I love my homeland, I love dearly, I could not look out of the car, I kept crying. (Through tears.) However, you need to drink coffee. Thank you, Firs, thank you, my old man. I'm so glad you're still alive.

Firs. The day before yesterday.

Gaev. He is hard of hearing.

Lopakhin. I now, at five o'clock in the morning, go to Kharkov. Such an annoyance! I wanted to look at you, talk ... You are still the same gorgeous.

Pishchik(breathing heavily). She even got prettier ... Dressed in Parisian fashion ... my cart, all four wheels, disappear ...

Lopakhin. Your brother, that's Leonid Andreevich, says about me that I'm a boor, I'm a kulak, but it makes absolutely no difference to me. Let him speak. I only wish that you believed me as before, that your amazing, touching eyes looked at me as before. Merciful God! My father was a serf of your grandfather and father, but you, in fact, you once did so much for me that I forgot everything and love you like my own ... more than my own.

Lyubov Andreevna. I can't sit, I can't. (Jumps up and walks around in great agitation.) I won’t survive this joy… Laugh at me, I’m stupid… My closet… (Kisses the closet.) My table.

Gaev. And without you here the nanny died.

Lyubov Andreevna(sits down and drinks coffee). Yes, the kingdom of heaven. They wrote to me.

Gaev. And Anastasius died. Petrushka Kosoy left me and now lives in the city with the bailiff. (Takes a candy box out of his pocket and sucks.)

Pishchik. My daughter, Dashenka ... bows to you ...

Lopakhin. I want to tell you something very pleasant, cheerful. (Glancing at the clock.) I’m leaving now, there’s no time to talk ... well, yes, I’ll say it in two or three words. You already know that your cherry orchard is being sold for debts, auctions are scheduled for August 22, but don't worry, my dear, sleep well, there is a way out ... Here is my project. Attention please! Your estate is only twenty versts from the city, there is a railway nearby, and if the cherry orchard and the land along the river are divided into summer cottages and then leased out for summer cottages, then you will have at least twenty-five thousand a year income.

Gaev. Sorry, what nonsense!

Lyubov Andreevna. I don't quite understand you, Yermolai Alekseich.

Lopakhin. You will charge the summer residents at least twenty-five rubles a year for a tithe, and if you declare now, then, I guarantee with anything, you will not have a single free patch left until the fall, everything will be sorted out. In a word, congratulations, you are saved. The location is wonderful, the river is deep. Only, of course, you need to clean up, clean up, for example, demolish all the old buildings, this house, which is no longer good for anything, cut down the old cherry orchard ...

Lyubov Andreevna. Cut down? My dear, I'm sorry, you do not understand anything. If there is anything interesting, even remarkable, in the whole province, it is only our cherry orchard.

Lopakhin. The only remarkable thing about this garden is that it is very large. Cherry is born every two years, and even that has nowhere to go, no one buys.

Gaev. And the Encyclopedic Dictionary mentions this garden.

Lopakhin(looking at the clock). If we don’t think of anything and come to nothing, then on the twenty-second of August both the cherry orchard and the whole estate will be auctioned off. Make up your mind! There is no other way, I swear to you. No and no.

Firs. In the old days, forty or fifty years ago, cherries were dried, soaked, pickled, jam was cooked, and it happened ...

Gaev. Shut up, Firs.

Firs. And it used to be that dried cherries were sent in carts to Moscow and Kharkov. There was money! And dried cherries were then soft, juicy, sweet, fragrant… The method was then known…

Lyubov Andreevna. Where is this method now?

Firs. Forgot. Nobody remembers

The landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya and her daughter Anya are traveling from Paris to the family estate. Ranevskaya lived abroad for 5 years. The husband of the landowner died of alcoholism. She started living with another man. But then a misfortune happened - the youngest son of Ranevskaya Grisha drowned.

Later, with a new lover, she travels abroad, where he robbed her and left. The landowner is in a cramped financial situation, her estate and garden are awaiting sale. Brother Gaev, brother of the landowner, and Varya, her adopted daughter, live in it. Her governess Charlotte and footman Yasha come with her. The merchant Lopakhin is waiting for her at the estate. He got rich, and yet his ancestors were her peasants. The clerk Epikhodov proposed to the maid Dunyasha. But he always gets in trouble. Ranevskaya arrives and cries - she is at home. Lopakhin offers Ranevskaya a way out of this situation: to cut down the garden and lease the land to summer residents. But here her young years passed. In her opinion, this is impossible. Gaev is trying to find a way out. He even swears that the estate will not be sold, as he wants to take money from a rich aunt.

The action of the second part takes place outside the home. Lopakhin again asks Ranevskaya to listen to his proposal to lease the land. She disagrees and does not listen to him. Dunyasha refuses Epikhodov. She falls in love with Yasha. Ranevskaya recalls the money spent, her husband, son, lover. She invites Lopakhin to make a marriage proposal to Varya. Varya, Anya and the “eternal student” Trofimov arrive. He argues with Lopakhin, who taunts him. Trofimov believes that Lopakhin is a predator that eats everything in its path. He argues that a person should work and leave pride. A passer-by asks for money, and Ranevskaya gives him a coin. Varya is dissatisfied with her act, and Lyubov Andreevna says that she wooed her. Everyone leaves, Anya and Trofimov remain. He invites her to run away, anticipating misfortune.

In the third act, Lopakhin and Gaev go to the city to attend the auction. They have fun on the estate: they arrange dances, show tricks. Ranevskaya is worried. She says she wants to return to her lover in Paris, but Trofimov does not understand this. Lopakhin and Gaev arrive. Lopakhin is the new owner of the garden and estate. He bought them. He is very happy and does not see the despair of Ranevskaya and Gaev. When he leaves, the landowner cries, Anya calms her.

The fourth act shows the departure of the landowner to Paris. Charlotte and Yasha are traveling with her. Dunyasha is crying. Lopakhin does not dare to propose to Varya. Anya and Trofimov stay together. And the old forgotten footman Firs dies. The sound of an ax is heard. Soon there will be neither a garden, nor a manor in which the landowners lived.

The play shows that the main thing for our time is money and profit. The age of pragmatism has arrived. The play teaches not to humiliate and not to destroy the past.

Read a summary of Chekhov's Cherry Orchard by action

Action 1

The events of the play take place in the spring of 1904. Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya with her daughter, maid and footman return to their homeland. They spent about five years behind the cordon. The family is looking forward to seeing them. Dunyasha has put on her best dress and is waiting for her hostess. Even Lopakhin made a remark to her about her appearance. Lyubov Andreevna and her brother are bankrupt. They are forced to sell their property, including their favorite cherry orchard. A friend of Ranevskaya, a wealthy merchant Lopakhin, who was from a simple family, recommends that his close friend cut down the garden, and in its place rent land for summer cottages. The landlady doesn't even want to hear about it. This garden has become dear to her, because her best childhood memories are associated with it. Nevertheless, Lopakhin advises a friend to weigh the pros and cons. Ranevskaya's brother Gaev wants to take money from a relative and pay off his debts.

Ranevskaya has three months to pay off her debts, otherwise the cherry orchard will be automatically put up for auction.

Action 2

Time passes. It is time to resolve the issue with the cherry orchard, and the landowner and her brother continue to lead their usual lives. Gaev and Lyubov Andreevna are throwing money down the drain. Lopakhin returned from Kharkov, and the matter, as it was unresolved, remained the same. The merchant asks Ranevskaya many questions about his advice, but she does not seem to hear. Lyubov Andreevna and her brother are so calm, it even gives the impression that they are hoping for some kind of miracle. In fact, there is no magic, they just gave up.

At this time, Dunyasha walks with Yasha, Epikhodov and her friend Charlotte. Dunyasha feels sympathy for Yasha, but for him she is just a temporary entertainment. Epikhadov loves Dunyasha, he is even ready to give his life for her.

Action 3

Music is playing in the living room, everyone is moving out, dancing. The long-awaited day has come. August 22 - the day of consideration of Ranevskaya's property at the auction. Lyubov Andreevna is worried and is looking forward to hearing from her brother. She was completely lost in her thoughts. Ranevskaya thinks about whether the money sent by her relative was enough to pay off her debts.

The atmosphere in the room heats up. Ranevskaya anticipates failure and is already thinking about preparing to go to Paris. Her lover is waiting there. Lyubov Andreevna wants to marry her daughters: Anna to Petya, and Varvara to her friend Lopakhin. Ranevskaya has no doubts about the latter, but she is worried about Petya, since he is constantly studying at the university, how will he provide for his family?

At this time, a discussion flares up that for the sake of love you can do crazy things. Petya reminds Ranevskaya of her lover, who once robbed her and left. There is no result of the auction yet, but everyone present already knows what they will do if the house and the cherry orchard are sold.

Lopakhin and Gaev enter the living room. The latter cannot hold back his tears, but Ermolai Alekseevich is insanely happy. The merchant informs everyone that he is the new owner of the house and garden. He is proud to have reached such heights on his own without anyone's help. Now Lopakhin will fulfill his dream, cut down the garden and rent out summer cottages.

Ranevskaya is crying, Varya is nervous, and Anna reassures her mother that her whole life is ahead and there will be much more fun.

Anya reveals to Petya the secret that the garden does not matter to her, she strives for a completely different life.

Action 4

Empty rooms, packed luggage. All around you can hear only the sound of an ax and a saw. The new owner of the estate is waiting for his friend and her relatives to say goodbye to the house and their servants. Lopakhin treats guests with champagne on this occasion, but no one is in the mood to drink this drink. Lyubov Andreevna and her brother are barely holding back tears, Anya and Petya are waiting for the wedding, Yasha is happy that he is leaving his native land and going abroad.

The former owners of the estate go to Kharkov, and then to different parts of the world. Raevskaya and Yasha fly to France, Anna to study, and Petya to the capital, Gaev gets a job in a bank, and Varya becomes a housekeeper. Epikhodov remained to help Lopakhin on the estate.

Only Firs is calm and in no hurry. Because of the chaos that reigns in the house, everyone forgot that they were supposed to take him to the hospital.

Pishchik suddenly comes and gives the money he borrowed to Lopakhin and Lyubov Andreevna. Pishchik spoke about his earnings. The fact is that he leased the land and received a good profit.

Ranevskaya hopes for the marriage of Varya and the merchant Lopakhin, but this was not destined to come true. Everyone started loading luggage. Only Ranevskaya and her brother remained in the yard. They hugged tightly, crying, remembering the moments of their childhood and youth. They understand that everything has changed and will not be the same as before.

Lopakhin closes the house on a turnkey basis. Everyone forgets about Firs. But he does not hold a grudge against the owners, he just quietly lies down on the bed and leaves this world.

All around you can only hear the sawing of the cherry orchard. A curtain.

The play teaches its reader to cherish and protect what you have at the moment, tomorrow it may not be. Life is moving forward, everything around is changing, today you are a master, and tomorrow a servant and vice versa.

By actions and chapters

retelling

Ranevskaya Lyubov Andreevna is the owner of a wonderful garden of cherry trees. Outside the window is a beautiful spring, cherry blossoms, but this marvelous garden will soon be sold due to large debts.

The life of Lyubov Andreeva was difficult and tragic, she had to go through a lot of grief. Her husband died from drunkenness, after a while she met and fell in love with another. After a while, fate presents her with a heavy blow, her son Grishenka dies. She could not survive this grief and left her native estate to live in Paris, along with her daughter Anya. They lived there for about five years, Lyubov Andreevna's lover went after her, he soon robbed her and left her.

During Ranevskaya's absence, Gaev Leonid, Lyubov Andreevna's brother, looked after the estate together with her adopted daughter Varya. The day came for Ranevskaya and Anya to return, Varya and Leonid went to the station to meet them. At home, the merchant Ermolai Lopakhin with a maid named Dunyasha, Yepikhodov the clerk, the old servant Firs, the governess Charlotte Ivanovna, the neighbor Simeonov-Pishchik, Petya Trofimov, Grisha's teacher, remained waiting for them. Gradually the house was filled with people, all in a good disposition, talking about their own. The sisters Varya and Anya keep secrets, Anya wants Varya to marry the merchant Lopakhin, and Varya dreams that Anya should marry a rich man.

Lyubov Andreevna looks in awe at every corner of the house, she is overwhelmed with emotions of joy, because for her the garden is the personification of her life, childhood, youth, a symbol of her homeland. The merchant Lopakhin convinces Ranevskaya and her brother that the only correct solution in this situation would be to give the land to summer residents, breaking it into plots. But Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev do not want to sell their estate, they do not want the trees to be cut down, because they are alive.

Every day, Lyubov Andreevna receives telegrams from her lover, in which he persuades her to come. She understands that, despite his terrible meanness, she continues to love him. On the day of the auction, Ranevskaya and Gaev are counting on the money of their rich aunt, but they are not enough to buy the estate. The estate has been sold, Lyubov Andreevna is going to live for some time on her aunt's money and return to her lover, Anya dreams of studying at a gymnasium, of working, of a wonderful new world. Varya and Lopakhin are in love, but he can't explain himself to her. Everyone is on the eve of something new in their lives, and somewhere in the distance the muffled sounds of an ax are heard in the garden.

Picture or drawing Cherry Orchard

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